NSW DET drops ASI and Optima

Optima's business with NSW DET had shrunk significantly over the past two years after the launch of T4L, Ung said, to about 5 per cent of its overall revenue.

ASI's communications manager, Craig Quinn, suggested the single supplier deal could have resulted from differences between product specifications listed on the NSW whole-of government panel, and the needs of schools.

"The panel and DET were like chalk and cheese," he said. "DET was looking for fully remote desktop features with an Intel vPro platform. In the Department of Commerce tender, there were no references to remote desktop, and the documentation didn't allow you to put in upgrades. We didn't get an opportunity to discuss a different spec bid for DET. This just came through so quickly."

Lowe said ASI would now concentrate on providing related support services. She pointed to a recent report by the NSW Government's Audits office on ICT in schools, which highlighted the need to look at overall infrastructure and delivery of technology support. "We have always had a good reputation for delivery and services capabilities, which are the most important things," she said. "We have to move on with that. We're interested in remote management, infrastructure, wireless services."

Lenovo communications director, Heather Jones, said it currently worked with 11 business partners for the NSW DET contract and is in discussions with several more. The vendor rolled out about 11,400 desktops to rural, metro and regional schools across NSW last year. "Lenovo will engage local business partners to supply and service some schools as part of the NSW Department of Education and Training supplier relationship," she said in a statement. The NSW DET had not responded to requests for comment at the time of print.